Spain warns of 'fake news' about wildfires, urges people to follow official channels

More now from Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who has warned of “fake news” circulating online about the wildfires, instead urging people to listen to official channels for their updates.

“Sadly, we’re seeing a lot of fake news during this emergency…And all that does is create more worries and more anxiety for people,” he told reporters, referencing baseless hoaxes which have claimed to explain the causes of the fires.

Sánchez previously expressed a dislike for social media, describing it as something that “was supposed to bring unity, clarity and democracy” but “instead (has) given us division, vice and a reactionary agenda” when announcing Spain’s ban on social media for children under the age of 16.

-CNN